Leadership

Bruce caught the hotel bug while washing dishes at a local hotel as a part-time job while still at school.  The other side of the pot-wash bench seemed so much more glamorous!

After studying hotel management he took on a trainee manager position with Hyatt, focussing on Food and Beverage services.  Following this, a brief stint with IHG before embarking on his OE.

Bruce traveled extensively through the USA before basing himself in England for seven years, working for Forte, Marriot, and Thistle hotels, ranging in size from 50 to 800 rooms.

An opportunity to work at the world-renown Huka Lodge brought him back to New Zealand.  This was followed up with his first general manager stint at Wharekauhau Country Estate, another luxury lodge.  An opening at The George took him back to city life, and over 20 years later he has steered the company to considerable success along with adding other hotels to the management company.

Damian Flynn joins Brook Serene as Hotel Manager of the Regent of Rotorua, bringing more than 20 years of hotel, resort and food and beverage leadership across New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Most recently, Damian was General Manager of Ramada Resort Port Douglas, a 199-room strata-titled resort in tropical North Queensland. Around three-quarters of the rooms belonged to Wyndham, with the rest in a letting pool of privately owned apartments, and the resort also held the caretaking role for the body corporate. Balancing those owners while holding occupancy at around 92% year-round, in one of Australia’s most seasonal markets, gave him a strong grounding in owner relations. He also ran the resort’s 3Sixteen Bar & Bistro, where themed dinners brought locals through the door alongside resort guests.

Before that, he spent five years with Ovolo Group in Hong Kong, first as General Manager of both Mojo Nomad properties, where he ran the Mexican restaurant Te Quiero Mucho, and then of Ovolo Southside, the group’s largest hotel. A member of Design Hotels and the first warehouse conversion in Hong Kong, the 162-room hotel ranked first among its competitors for room revenue share. He oversaw its three food and beverage venues, opening a second Te Quiero Mucho on the back of the original’s success and relaunching the rooftop bar Above by Komune. He also hosted launch events for Bentley, Aston Martin and Ferrari.

Earlier, Damian was the pre-opening General Manager of YHA Mei Ho House, which turned a 1954 public housing block into a 129-room heritage hotel and museum, and earned a UNESCO Honourable Mention. His career began with YHA in Queensland, where he led two major property rebuilds, before he became Regional Development Manager for Hostelling International across Asia Pacific and the Indian Subcontinent, overseeing standards across more than 200 properties.

A hands-on manager, Damian believes great hospitality comes from a well-looked-after team and a close eye on the detail.

Outside work, Damian loves to travel, especially off the beaten track, and to get out hiking. He’s also learning Tagalog and is glad to be back living in Rotorua.

Megan is part of the Sales and Marketing team at Brook Serene Hotels, bringing a strong foundation in tourism, hospitality, and customer service to her role.  Having been with the company for over 10 years, she has developed a strong understanding of the brand, its properties, and the importance of delivering exceptional guest experiences.

At Brook Serene, Megan works across sales, marketing communications, content creation, brand storytelling, and trade engagement. She attends industry trade shows and enjoys representing the group while building connections with clients, partners, and industry colleagues. Her approach is grounded in a strong focus on customer service, ensuring every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and contributes to a seamless guest experience.

Megan enjoys the collaborative nature of working across the team and properties, helping to showcase each hotel’s individuality and ensuring the brand is represented consistently and authentically.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and making the most of New Zealand’s outdoors. She loves travelling around the country in their caravan, as well as biking, walking, and exploring new places.

Hasith is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience leading finance operations in the hospitality industry, both in New Zealand and internationally. His career spans boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and hospitality groups, where he brings a steady hand and a sharp analytical mind to every financial challenge.

He began his professional journey at Ernst & Young, gaining a solid grounding in audit and advisory, before discovering his passion for hospitality finance. Hasith holds a Master of Professional Accounting from Victoria University of Wellington, which complements his extensive hands-on experience and strengthens his strategic financial leadership.

Since moving into the hospitality sector, Hasith has played key roles in hotel pre-openings, system implementations, internal control enhancements, and long-term financial planning for iconic properties in the Maldives and New Zealand.

At Brook Serene, Hasith is a trusted financial leader known for his calm, collaborative approach, and natural problem-solving abilities. He’s also a strong advocate for sustainability initiatives and actively contributes to volunteer causes, believing in business as a force for good.

Away from spreadsheets and strategy sessions, Hasith enjoys playing badminton, hiking, dancing, and exploring global cuisines. He lives in Christchurch, and finds joy in both professional purpose and personal passions.